Many arms around the mast as your ship starts cracking

[sovay]

Rabbit, rabbit! I got out of the house in time for the last of a clear apple-gold sunset. A skein of geese went unraveling through the smoke-blue luminous air and a very large moth tried to bang itself into my face. There were heaps of fallen leaves on the sidewalks to kick through and some crepe-orange ones still on the local notable maple. Someone's costume is my best hope for the cardboard sign in the street advertising extremely cheap sexual services.

Having run the car over for errands, I ended up spending the trick-or-treating hours of Halloween at my mother's house, which was inundated with a range of ages from toddlers to teenagers and the occasional adult who could be coaxed to take some candy for themselves. I am guessing a percentage of the colorfully wigged people were KPop Demon Hunters. I have no idea about the WWI Tommy in the company of a classical figure in gold laurels, but they looked like an entire short story in themselves. The Minuteman looked parentally hand-sewn, full marks for waistcoat and hat. The most extensive was the full-body tyrannosaur I came down the steps to hold the bowl of candy out for, explaining it was no trouble because I could see their short little arms. When the twins came by, one of them dashed into the house to hug me and all of her friends shouted at her for going across the threshold, which I understood was some kind of ground rule but sounded in the moment like the start of a fairy tale. The South Asian older relatives chaperoning their set of small children wore marigold garlands, perfectly Halloween-colored. There are a lot more kids in that neighborhood than there used to be and it's wonderful.

I remain underslept, but I really appreciate being introduced to Florence + The Machine's "Kraken" (2025).

Comments

[asakiyume]

I have no idea about the WWI Tommy in the company of a classical figure in gold laurels, but they looked like an entire short story in themselves. --I'm instantly charmed and have a guess: they were one of the WWI poets and their Muse. But also it could be something different, and I would read that story if you write it!

all of her friends shouted at her for going across the threshold, which I understood was some kind of ground rule but sounded in the moment like the start of a fairy tale. --Yes! A number of very little kids stared in very obvious curiosity into my kitchen (the room the door opens to), in one case embarrassing the accompanying adult and in all cases mystifying me, until one little one said, "I love your house. It's so pretty!" which, d'awwwww! Upon reflection, the only thing I can think of is that the cupboards all have tons and tons of cards and postcards on them, which isn't, I guess, a thing that most houses have (and so might make kids curious). I'm happy that that one kid liked it!

The South Asian older relatives chaperoning their set of small children wore marigold garlands, perfectly Halloween-colored. --Beautiful.

Oooh, a new one from Florence + the Machine? Will listen.

[lauradi7dw]

On my particular street, the trick or treating was much more subdued. I got 10 (groups of 3, 3, and 4) which is more than sometimes. I wondered if some of the families who do the Lexington Center business trick or treating in the afternoon declare done, but from your evidence, maybe not.

I am not big on vampire lore, but in the Buffyverse, a vampire could not enter one's home unless invited in. There is something deep-felt about threshold crossing, one way or another.

[thisbluespirit]

That is a beautiful opening paragraph! I'm glad you had fun with visiting trick or treaters, and sorry for the underslept part. <3

[sartorias]

A lot of stories in those trick or treaters!

[selkie]

*proffers bucket of weird*

That twin is very brave!

[minoanmiss]

*reads in delight*

[davidgillon]

The most extensive was the full-body tyrannosaur

I had this come across my FB feed, it's kind of brilliant: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1468062625326751

[adawritesfic]

This is so beautifully written!

A house near me has a perpetual 20ft tall tyrannosaur in their front yard the surface area of which barely accommodates its footprint - for Halloween they put a Lady Liberty toga on it hahaha